A Latvian man has been sentenced to two months in prison and banned from entering Monaco for five years following a series of thefts from luxury boutiques in the Métropole shopping centre, with damages estimated at €3,000.
Over the months of May, September, and December, boutiques such as Louboutin, Nocibé, Dolce & Gabbana, and Marje Enfance reported thefts of high-value items, including belts, perfumes, and clothing. According to Monaco Matin, video surveillance footage and investigative efforts led to the identification of the 40-year-old suspect, who lived between Cannes and Beausoleil despite being banned from French territory since August 2024 and listed by Interpol for previous offences in Latvia.
Tried in immediate appearance, the defendant initially denied his involvement, offering implausible explanations and attempting to minimize his actions. Presiding Judge Jérôme Fougeras Lavergnolle pressed the man on his intentions, questioning whether he was part of a criminal network targeting high-value stores. The defendant admitted to stealing belts for resale and cited financial difficulties as the motive for his actions.
Prosecutor Christine Mutiloa described the accused as a professional thief who selected prestigious locations to steal profitable items, calling for a two-month prison sentence, a ten-year ban from Monaco, and continued detention. Defense counsel Me Violaine Rapaire urged leniency, arguing that the thefts were driven by desperation rather than malice.
Ultimately, the court upheld the prison sentence and reduced the Monaco ban to five years, marking a decisive stance against repeat offenders in the Principality.
